War or Peace?

A very strange dream woke me up a bit early this morning. I dreamed that I had been standing at the window looking out over the river and suddenly black military looking went screaming by. There was not just one or two of them; but, a crowd of them; a fleet that seemed to have no end. Very strange, I thought and woke up. Of course, I had to try to figure out why I would have a dream like that. I could not discern if the dream was about war or peace. Was I dreaming it because I sense impending danger or because of a feeling of security? I do not know. Every day brings something new. The world can be a dangerous place. The news is rarely good; but, yet, there is always hope.

Military boats and ships certainly have something to do with danger; especially, to the enemy. But, they are also there to bring security to the people they are commissioned to protect. Ultimately, they are to be used to bring about security and a sense of peace.

We can never really count on the state of the world's affairs to provide us with security and peace. But, there is one whom we can trust.

Answer me when I call, O God of my right!
    You gave me room when I was in distress.
    Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!
    Let the light of your face shine on us, O Lord!”
You have put gladness in my heart
    more than when their grain and wine abound.

I will both lie down and sleep in peace;
    for you alone, O Lord, make me lie down in safety.

                                                      Psalm 4:1, 6-8 NRSV

God's Peace - Pr. J

John 12:12-19 Follow and Sing Hosanna!

John 12:12-19 NIV
Jesus is exalted by the crowd on his way into Jerusalem. They went out to meet him, shouting: "Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"

No one really understands the significance of all this. But, they are excited. The Pharisees are excited, too. They need to figure out a way to turn this all around. They need to figure out a way to turn the people against Jesus; to abandon him; to quit following him around. And, they will! By the end of the week, the crowd will not be shouting, "Hosanna!" They will be shouting, "Crucify him!"

Crowds can be fickle. They can be led in any direction quite easily as the heat of the moment carries them away. Like sheep led astray; they may follow for awhile; but, when pastures seem a bit greener elsewhere, they leave the shepherd and follow the crowd. Sometimes, they might even choose to stay with the crowd in a dried out and dead field rather than seek green pastures with the shepherd, simply because they are afraid to move. They might think that there is security in numbers so they abandon the only one who can keep them safe. 

May God grant that you should never turn against him; but, follow him always singing praises; singing Hosanna! Do not be afraid, your king has come and he will come again.

God's Peace,

Pr. J

Jeremiah 6 - Peace, Peace, No Peace

“From the least to the greatest,
    all are greedy for gain;
prophets and priests alike,
    all practice deceit.
They dress the wound of my people
    as though it were not serious.
‘Peace, peace,’ they say,
    when there is no peace.
Are they ashamed of their detestable conduct?
    No, they have no shame at all;
    they do not even know how to blush.
So they will fall among the fallen;
    they will be brought down when I punish them,”
      says the Lord."  (Jer 6:13-15 NIV)

Another litany of God's people's sins... And, again... the prophets and priests stand judged among them. Apparently, they looked the other way when the people took the wrong path, not following in the way of the LORD. They looked the other way and when they were lost in the forest of sin, they not only did not help; it was as though they did not even recognize the trouble that they all were in. "Peace, Peace," they said. They pretended all was well when all was not well. According to the prophecy of Jeremiah, they will fall with everyone else when Jerusalem is taken by the enemy.

How often are the problems of the world brushed aside with platitudes or even by looking the other way? My husband sometimes gets a little bothered by my words and actions. He hates conflict and would prefer that I, too, avoid it by looking the other way. I'm not all that fond of conflict, either. But, pretending nothing is wrong and looking the other way does not help anyone or anything. Ignoring it just makes matters worse. When you're sick, you usually try to get well, don't you?

Martin Luther, thought the church on earth was ill. It had a few problems (still does). He drew up 95 theses for discussion. Ninety-five items which he thought should be discussed. Included was the quote regarding proclaiming peace from Jeremiah 6.

"92. Away, then, with all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ``Peace, peace,'' and there is no peace! (Jer 6:14) 
93. Blessed be all those prophets who say to the people of Christ, ``Cross, cross,'' and there is no cross!
94. Christians should be exhorted to be diligent in following Christ, their Head, through penalties, death and hell. 
95. And thus be confident of entering into heaven through many tribulations rather than through the false security of peace (Acts 14:22)."

The struggle for truth is not always easy, but it is right. Hardships may come for saying and doing the right thing. Martin Luther was hounded and hunted for speaking the truth. He was a bit confrontational. The first disciples were put to death (perhaps not John - we don't know for sure). Jesus was killed by hanging on a cross. Truth may hurt, but, it is way better than the false peace that will cause even more suffering for all people in the end.

Truth trumps peace. But, know this: you can have peace as well as truth. But, the peace that comes with the truth is the peace of heart and mind that comes with walking with the LORD (who is the truth) no matter what trials and troubles you encounter in this world for speaking and living the truth. When you are willing to be honest and confront the fact that all is not well and you (we) must change directions and follow the LORD, then you will know both truth and peace.

And... above all prophets and priests really ought to quit pretending all is well, when all is not well.

My persistent prayer is that the "Peace of the LORD" be with you always.  Pr. J.
 

Proverbs 18 - Unfriendly Customer Service and Government Offices

"An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions." 18:1-2 NIV

^"One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys." (18:9)

^"Before a downfall the heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor." (18:12)

We had some errands to do out of town the other day. It was a strange day. So many unfriendly people. We were able to laugh about it all at dinner, but while it was happening it was not so funny.

Now, I know that "Can I help you?" on a typed page may seem friendly enough, but it is not always about what one says, but how you say it. Be careful who you are treating like a criminal. This is, after all, the week that we are reminded often that Jesus, Himself, was treated like a criminal. Customer service representatives should remember that the department store you work in hired you to serve not interrogate customers. The store you work at may lose a customer and more. Your boss may find out why you lost a customer. You may be looking for a new job. Think a little ahead of your lips. Unemployment is high right now. There are people looking for work - lots of them. We heard "attitude" more than once on that little outing.  I don't know... maybe I shouldn't have worn my comfy, but worn flannel shirt that day. Did I look like a criminal?

These days, I like doing most of my shopping and business online or by telephone. I have to drive a distance to get to a lot of stores and it gets a bit tiring running into unfriendly people. It is a relief that so many government offices are doing business on-line now. It makes it quicker. I don't have to drive an hour to get there. And... the people online or on the telephone just seem friendlier for the most part.

Another of our stops was a government office. That was a fiasco! I know, that there is a lot of fear among people today. But, homeland security, should be a bit more friendly than what we experienced. Again, maybe it was my flannel shirt or maybe my teen-age granddaughter wasn't smiling enough or maybe my husband who is a graying, retired Marine made him nervous, or maybe it was my 40 year old sons very short crew-cut... I don't know what set the security guard off. I was the first to walk in to the building. I was the first who was told, with glaring eyes and that "tone" to "check in" without directions on how to check in. Actually, I did not realize that he was a security guard until much later when he started playing with his gun. I thought maybe he was someone with untreated mental health issues that had wandered in. He was, after all, just sitting there in the lobby, just staring. After I took a number, we waited for about 10  minutes to be called. We were the only ones there. We waited under the watchful, glaring eye of the homeland security guard. He never took his eyes off of us. Someone needs to tell him (and any others like him) that those taxpayers you try to intimidate really are your employers. And... someone should also tell you that those intimidating tactics actually start quarrels. He obviously did not know that.

Sadly, it seems, there are a few too many (one is too many) unfriendly people in the customer service business who are really there just for the paycheck. There are a few public servants, who get paid enough for two families to live well, who really ought to be a bit more thankful to the other taxpayers that they still have jobs. (I can see one place where the federal budget can be cut) There are too many people in the service industry who do not seem to care to hear what the customer or client wants or why they are there.

Don't get me wrong. I am not really anti-social and although I joke about being a hermit, I really am not. I like to be out and about in my own county (Baraga County). I actually enjoy shopping in the local stores. Family Dollar is great! The people at Family Dollar know how to greet you. They are friendly people and will help you. It's only when I leave the county that I seem to run into trouble. Not sure, maybe I really do look like the sinner that I am.

This is Holy Week and we remember that Jesus was a servant to all. The King of kings was not here to be served. He was here and is here to serve at all costs. He gave His life freely. Would courtesy be asking too much of those we actually pay to serve?

God's Peace - Pr. J

Psalm 103 - Where Eagles Fly

"Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!" (Psalm 103:1 NIV)

What an magnificent and powerful bird!  I am most blessed to live where not only the bald eagles, but the golden eagles fly quite regularly. This photo was taken a couple of summers ago in my backyard.

Whenever, I see a bald eagle flying or sitting a tree watching me, my heart leaps. These birds, our national bird, give me a sense of both peace and security. The sight of them refreshes me.  Indeed, for a moment or two, I do feel young again. I feel like time does not exist or just stopped. Thet take my breath away. For a moment, there is nothing between the eagle and me. We are one. God created both. They are marvelous to behold.

To watch the majestic flight of the eagle is a reminder how magnificent and powerful God is. It is a reminder to me that God in his infinite wisdom is in charge of things. He made man to walk up on the earth, the fish to swim, and the eagle to fly. How wonderful is that? Who will not bow in humility when one realizes the power and authority that God has. All these things....  and, more....

He blesses our souls, heals us, reconciles us to Him and to one another. He forgives us our iniquities, though we are far from worthy. He crowns us with loving kindness and tender mercies. All that is are His. We are His. That should bring a sense of peace and security to all people.  It will, once we realize that He is God and there is no other.

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits. Bless the Lord, all His works, In all places of His dominion." (vs 1,2, 22)

May God refresh you this and every morning as you rise.

God's Peace - Pr. J

Job 17 - Christ, Our Security and Saviour

"Who else will put up security for me?" (vs. 3)

In the darkness of the night, when we are lonely and persecuted who indeed will put up security for us?  Who will save us?  There is none other than our Lord, Jesus the Christ, who is our security, our comforter, our saviour. 

When all else fails; when we finally figure out that humankind cannot save us; where do we turn?  We turn to our Lord and Savior.  In Christ alone will we find rest and security.

God's Peace - Pr. J

A very short devotion for this morning - my mind is working on a devotion, sermon, newsletter, stewardship, etc... all at the same time!  Oh, yes, and I need to catch up with the speaker for our retreat coming up next month to do some planning.  The later along in the week we get, the further behind it seems I get. May God bless the work of our hands, the words of our lips, the meditations of our hearts and minds, every step that we take, that all that we say and think and do will be acceptable in His sight and glorify Him, our Rock and our Redeemer.  Amen.